Spring 2019 HC 209H: The Biological Basis of Human Behavior

Human behavior is complex and multifaceted. Understanding the underlying motivations and actions of humans is relevant to a wide range of disciplines, from health and biology to economics and communications. This course will provide students with an understanding of human behavior from an evolutionary perspective using topics drawn from the fields of ecology, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Using a scientific approach and drawing from primary literature, this course will examine the basics of evolutionary theory and genetics, the primate origins of human behavior, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and human survival, mating and sexual behavior, parenting and kinship, adaptations to group living, cooperation, aggression and warfare, and evolutionary psychology.

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